Florida State will seize a third consecutive ACC football championship in 2014. Bold statement there, ey? Almost as risky as forecasting shenanigans among judges at the Winter Olympics figure skating competition next month.

Where a handicapper really earns his props, not to mention cash, is dissecting the ACC’s Coastal Division, which will produce Florida State’s presumptive victim in the conference title game.

Sure, it’s only January, and much will change before season’s kickoff. But as 2013’s results marinate, and the ACC basks in the Seminoles’ national championship, it’s only natural to gaze toward 2014, when preseason Coastal predictions could well have a basketball flavor.

Duke-Carolina. Carolina-Duke. Banners, Final Fours and Hall of Famers. Coach K, Dean and Ol’ Roy. That’s how ACC basketball has rolled for much of the last 30 years.

Six times in the last 11 years, media have picked the Blue Devils and Tar Heels to finish 1-2, or 2-1, in the league’s basketball race. And five times in the last eight regular seasons they have done just that.

Football is, uh, different.

Reporters at the league’s annual football kickoff haven’t picked the Tar Heels first since 1984. In the event’s 38 years, the Blue Devils have never cracked the preseason poll’s top two.

With good reason. The Tar Heels haven’t won the league since 1980, and the Blue Devils’ 2013 Coastal Division title was their first sniff at the top since sharing the ACC championship with Virginia in 1989. Only once in conference history, 1961, have Duke and Carolina finished 1-2 in football.

Now few, if any, envision a Coastal team unseating the Atlantic Division’s FSU atop the ACC in 2014. Led by Heisman Trophy quarterback Jameis Winston, the Seminoles appear, by far, the best in show, even with conference newcomer Louisville, 23-3 in the last two seasons, landing in the Atlantic.

The Coastal has far more parity. Indeed, had Duke’s Ross Martin missed a late field goal in the regular-season finale at North Carolina, the Devils, Tar Heels, Virginia Tech, Miami and Georgia Tech would have finished in a five-way tie atop the division at 5-3.

Duke and Carolina are well-positioned to contend again, but they are not alone.

Quarterback questions notwithstanding, Virginia Tech figures to remain an annual presence on the strength of its defense. Pittsburgh’s best offensive players in a bowl upset of Bowling Green were running back James Conner and receiver Tyler Boyd, both freshmen. Miami returns eight defensive starters and, if recovered from a broken ankle, the ACC’s best tailback in Duke Johnson. Virginia is unlikely to challenge but should be considerably better than in 2013.

The one team that could dip considerably is Georgia Tech, which loses the top three rushers from its option offense, including quarterback Vad Lee, who transferred to James Madison.

Another factor to consider: the rotating games against the Atlantic Division, all of which have the Coastal on the road in 2014. Virginia draws the toughest assignment in Florida State, while North Carolina gets Clemson, and Miami faces Louisville. Good luck with those.

So without further delay, the predicted order of finish, with last season’s records in parentheses.

* DUKE (10-4, 6-2): Based strictly on returning personnel and 2013 performance, the Devils would be unquestioned preseason chalk. The return of receiver Jamison Crowder, quarterbacks Anthony Boone and Brandon Connette, four starting linemen and a host of tailbacks promise another dynamic offense, much like the one that nearly outscored Texas A&M and Johnny Football in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Special teams are solid, though the defense could decline absent end Kenny Anunike and cornerback Ross Cockrell.

The question is, how will Duke handle expectations? Media have picked the Devils to finish last, or next-to-last, every season since 2000. This year will be different. This year, Duke will be among the hunted. Big difference.

* NORTH CAROLINA (7-6, 4-4): Marquise Williams flashed considerable potential after taking over for injured quarterback Bryn Renner late in the season, and with other playmakers such as Quinshad Davis and Ryan Switzer, the Tar Heels will be a challenge to defend. Their defense bids farewell to end Kareem Martin and safety Tre Boston, both all-conference selections.

* MIAMI (9-4, 5-3): Johnson’s return at running back should ease the burdens on the Hurricanes’ new quarterback (Ryan Williams?), who will replace Stephen Morris. With eight returning starters led by linebacker Denzel Perryman, the defense should be better. Miami’s league schedule — roadies at Louisville and Virginia Tech, and a home game against Florida State — is the division’s toughest.

* PITTSBURGH (7-6, 3-5): The departure of national defensive player of the year Aaron Donald and four other seniors portend a dip on that side of the ball. But even with a quarterback transition — Tom Savage to Chad Voytik — the offense has promise. Conner rushed for 229 yards in the bowl, while Boyd caught eight passes for 173.

* GEORGIA TECH (7-6, 5-3): The Yellow Jackets’ streak of 17 straight bowl bids is in jeopardy. The offense absorbs a big hit with not only the aforementioned backs but also three linemen. Plus, the defense loses six seniors, including All-ACC end Jeremiah Attaochu.

* VIRGINIA (2-10, 0-8): The Cavaliers were the division’s only team to have a losing season, and it was a doozy, ending with nine straight defeats. The ACC’s worst defense (33.2 points per game), and the program’s worst since 1975 (38.9 points per game), should improve. But will David Watford and/or Greyson Lambert provide the quarterback play necessary to upgrade the offense?

Disagreement is encouraged and probably wise.

I can be reached at 247-4636 or by e-mail at dteel@dailypress.com. Follow me at twitter.com/DavidTeelatDP

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